Most Germans believe that the EU should stop accession negotiations with Turkey as well as a controversial refugee deal, according to a poll published on Sunday (7 August).

The deal, agreed by Ankara in exchange for the revival of financial aid, the promise of visa-free travel to much of the EU and accelerated membership talks, has sharply cut the number of refugees entering Europe via eastern routes.

Last year Germany took in around 1.1 million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond, far more than any other EU state, creating conditions that have led to a rise in social and political tensions in Europe’s powerhouse economy.

Turkey would have to back out of its agreement with the European Union to stem the flow of migrants into the bloc if the EU does not deliver visa-free travel for Turks, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said.

“If visa liberalisation does not follow, we will be forced to back away from the deal on taking back (refugees) and the agreement of 18 March,” he said, adding that the Turkish government was waiting for a precise date for visa liberalisation. “It could be the beginning or middle of October – but we are waiting for a firm date.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Chief of Staff, Peter Altmaier, said on Friday there was “no Plan B” for the migrant deal and told the Berliner Zeitung he was convinced it would remain in place.

European Commission committed to EU-Turkey refugee deal

Contacted by EurActiv, European Commission spokesperson for Migration, Home Affairs, and Citizenship Tove Ernst last week said that the EU remained committed to the EU-Turkey refugee deal but added that the challenge was greater than that agreement alone.

“We have a comprehensive European Agenda on Migration addressing all aspects of the migration challenge. We have spent the past 15 months putting in place the tools needed to future-proof our systems, both internally and externally,” Ernst said.

“Our assistance to Greece and other countries under pressure continues, our measures to tackle the root causes of migration and preparations for the rapid roll-out of the new European Border and Coast Guard which was approved by the European Parliament and Council before the summer, among many other measures,” she added.

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The Commission is totally discredited on Turkey, particularly its president. It is time to face reality. Migration can be managed for the ultimate benefit of both parties, Europeans and migrants. This is not a simple task but there is no other way.

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YY

08/08/2016 22:36

NEWSFLASH: The whole of Europe doesn’t want Turkey. NEVER DID!
This is typically a subject where European politicians are out of touch with reality.
Stop the accession negotiations and assure they’ll never make any chance. Deny them free visa travel. Kick them out of NATO.

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Johan Stavers

09/08/2016 07:43

EU leaders have no backbone at all. Turkey should have been given the cold shoulder decades ago. European citizens do not want Islam in Europe, they never did, it is just that their brain dead leaders, blinded by utopian regressive visions kept pushing it, why?,I don’t know, insanity probably.

The weakness of Merkel borders treachery.

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ivan burrows

09/08/2016 14:16

Juncker & Merkel will decide, not the peoples of the EU. Did you really believe the lie that the EU was democratic ?